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Lamed Study Page 1 Psalm 119 & the Hebrew Aleph Bet - Part 12 The twelfth letter of the Hebrew alphabet is called “Lamed” and has the sound of “L” as in “look”. It has the numeric value of 30. The pictograph for Lamed looks like a shepherd's staff or goad, whereas the classical Hebrew script is constructed of a Kaph with a Vav standing upon it: In modern Hebrew, the Lamed appears in three forms: Writing the Letter: Lamed Note that the first stroke extends above the line and inclines from left to right. Practice making the Lamed here: King of the Letters The letter Lamed is unique in the Hebrew alphabet since it is the tallest letter (it is the only letter that rises above the baseline) and, as the 12th letter, it is considered the central letter (or "heart") of the Hebrew alphabet: Since Lamed towers over the other letters from its central position, it is said to represent melekh hamelakhim, the King of Kings. This idea is supported by the idea that the preceding letter stands for kisei hakavod, "the throne of Glory," and the following letter stands for malkhut, "kingdom." The sages also point out that the three central letters can spell the word melekh, King.

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Page 1: Psalm 119 & the Hebrew Aleph Bet Part 12 119 - Lamed - Completed.pdfAleph Bet -Part 12 The twelfth letter of the Hebrew alphabet is called “Lamed” and has the sound of “L”

Lamed Study Page 1

Psalm 119 & the Hebrew Aleph Bet - Part 12

The twelfth letter of the Hebrew alphabet is called “Lamed” and has the sound of “L” as in “look”. It has the

numeric value of 30. The pictograph for Lamed looks like a shepherd's staff or goad, whereas the classical

Hebrew script is constructed of a Kaph with a Vav standing upon it:

In modern Hebrew, the Lamed appears in three forms:

Writing the Letter: Lamed Note that the first stroke extends above the line and inclines from left to right.

Practice making the Lamed here:

King of the Letters The letter Lamed is unique in the Hebrew alphabet since it is the tallest letter (it is the only letter that rises

above the baseline) and, as the 12th letter, it is considered the central letter (or "heart") of the Hebrew alphabet:

Since Lamed towers over the other letters from

its central position, it is said to represent

melekh hamelakhim, the King of Kings. This

idea is supported by the idea that the preceding

letter stands for kisei hakavod, "the throne of

Glory," and the following letter stands for

malkhut, "kingdom." The sages also point out

that the three central letters can spell the word melekh, King.

Page 2: Psalm 119 & the Hebrew Aleph Bet Part 12 119 - Lamed - Completed.pdfAleph Bet -Part 12 The twelfth letter of the Hebrew alphabet is called “Lamed” and has the sound of “L”

Lamed Study Page 2

Spiritual Meaning of the Lamed Lamed = 30 and means “TEACHING” of Yahweh or “LEARNING” of Yah in Torah.

Lamed can be seen as an acronym for the phrase lev meivin da'at, meaning "a

heart that understands knowledge":

In other words, the goal of learning and teaching (lamed) is heart knowledge. Moreover, since it is the only letter allowed to ascend above the other

letters in the sacred writings, Lamed represents the prominence of learning

and understanding to the heart.

The Hebrew name of the letter itself, lamed, comes from the root lamad meaning to learn or teach, which first occurs in Deuteronomy 4:1

"And now, O Israel, listen to the statutes and the rules that I am teaching you..." From this we can see that the first business of learning is mishnei Torah, the repetition (or inculcation) of the Torah. Indeed, since Lamed is the tallest of the Hebrew letters, it draws our attention to the source of all learning, namely the Torah itself.

Learning is not an end in itself, but should

spur us on to action. For example, in Pirkei

Avot 1:7 it is written:

"Study is not the ultimate goal, rather the

deeds."

In other words, a true student or learner is

not one who is entirely bookish and

without deeds of righteousness that

accompany his or her learning. This is

echoed in the famous words of Simon the

Just, who said that the world stands upon

three things: upon Torah, upon worship

and upon loving deeds:

"Upon three things the world does stand:

upon the Torah and upon worship and upon

acts of lovingkindness."

In light of this, we can see how the word

Lamed is connected with malmad, a goad

or spur to action. Like a wise shepherd,

learning will both spur us on to good deeds

and control our animal instincts.

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Lamed Study Page 3

Hebrew Words Beginning with Lamed: Hebrew Word Pronunciation Meaning

lamad למד

Yahweh TEACHES me what is best and directs me. Isa 48:17 ThusH3541 saithH559 the LORD,H3068 thy Redeemer,H1350 the Holy OneH6918 of Israel;H3478 IH589 am the LORDH3068 thy GodH430 which teachethH3925 thee to profit,H3276 which leadethH1869 thee by the wayH1870 that thou shouldest go.H1980

lebab לבב

I am to Love Yahweh will all my HEART

Deu 10:12 And now,H6258 Israel,H3478 whatH4100 doth the LORDH3068 thy GodH430 requireH7592 ofH4480 H5973 thee, butH3588 H518 to fearH3372 (H853) the LORDH3068 thy God,H430 to walkH1980 in allH3605 his ways,H1870 and to loveH157 him, and to serveH5647 (H853) the LORDH3068 thy GodH430 with allH3605 thy heartH3824 and with allH3605 thy soul,H5315

lasho לשון n I am to Speak in Torah Wisdom – with the TONGUE Pro 10:20 The tongueH3956 of the justH6662 is as choiceH977 silver:H3701 the heartH3820 of the wickedH7563 is little worth.H4592

When Lamed appears as a prefix to a word in Hebrew, it often denotes the grammatical object which we

translate with "to" or "for." For example, melekh means king, but l'melekh means "to a king" or "for a king." In

other words, Lamed designates the direction or goal of action as well as the goad of that action.

Learning is then a means to an end, not the end itself. But what is the end to which it leads? Is it not the love of

the YAHWEH Himself and His salvation? Is not a relationship with Yahweh God of Israel the final goal of

Torah? As Yahshua Himself said, "You search the Scriptures (i.e., Torah) because you think that in them you

have eternal Life; but it is they that bear witness of Me" (John 5:39). In other words, studying and learning

Torah is meant to ultimately reveal the love and grace of the Mashiach, Yahshua, the true Teacher and King of

Kings.

Lamed: Secrets in the Letter Formation The letter Lamed itself represents the number 30, but its constituent parts, Vav and Kaf, yield the

number 26, which is the number of , YHWH:

Since Lamed is central and raised above all the

other letters, it represents YHWH, or the King of

Kings.

In Genesis 27:30 there is an unusual tag added to the

normal Lamed: This reads, "As soon as Isaac finished

blessing Jacob..." (The flourish on the Lamed occurs in the

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Lamed Study Page 4

word kalah “finished” “made an end”). This extra embellishment on the Lamed points to the blessing that God

gave to Jacob and His Seed. It means that this is a blessing descending directly from Yahweh out of Heaven.

The word Yisrael (Israel) begins with the smallest letter (Yod) and ends with the largest letter (Lamed),

suggesting Israel's dependence upon Yahweh. In fact, in Exodus 19:5 the scribes write a deliberately oversized

Lamed and a deliberately undersized Yod right next to one another:

This reads, "And you shall be to Me a treasure among all the

peoples." Israel is “am segulah,” a treasured people, when

they keep the Covenant of Yahweh by acknowledging His

greatness and Israel's smallness. That is, God is the great

Lamed, Teacher, King of Kings, whereas Israel is the small

Yod, the small hand extended upward to Heaven in praise and in worship. When the relationship between

Yahweh and us is like this, we are truly Israel - the treasured possession to Yahweh.

In Deuteronomy 29:28 there is an oversized Lamed:

This reads, "and He cast them into another land..." This oversized Lamed suggests that Israel's rebellion

against Torah resulted in their ejection from the

Promised Land. But even this punishment

would be used by Yahweh to greatly teach them

about His Greatness. And in these Last Days,

we behold the manifold wisdom of Yahweh as

He gathers all of spiritual Israel back to the

Torah Truth in anticipation of His soon coming

as Israel's true King of Kings!

Lamed: Lights of the World

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Lamed Study Page 5

The shape of the lamed has been compared to a watchtower, or a lighthouse, serving as a sen-tinel at the heart

of the Hebrew alphabet. In the Torah scrolls, the vase of the

lamed is formed by a kaph (the letter which symbolizes our

submission to Yahweh and obedience – which results in good

(Grace Empowered) works (which are obedient to Torah). To

form the lamed, atop the kaph sits a

vav, in the shape of a flame. This shows

that our Spirt-empowered, Torah-

obedient GOOD WORKS give Light to

all those around. It was this symbology

that Yahshua was referring to when He said, in the context of the

Torah (Matthew 5:14-18):

Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be

hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but

on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good

works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Think not that

I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to

destroy, but to fulfil (“level up, fully preach, accomplish, perfect

supply”). For verily I say unto you, Till Heaven and earth pass,

one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the Law, till all be

fulfilled.

As the flame-like protru-

sion stands atop the kaph

in the formation of the

lamed, so our good deeds

should provide a platform

to display the Light of

Yahweh’s Truth,

emanating from the

Torah.

The arrangement of the

vav supported by the kaph

(which is a hand, as well

as wings) also illustrates

the verse, “Humble your-

selves, therefore under

God’s mighty Hand, that He may lift you up in due time,” (1 Peter 5:6). It is only the humble one who has been

dealt with by Yahweh’s Hand who can produce works that are truly Good and Torah-obedient. As the vav

stands atop the kaph, so the man who is filled with Torah-understanding (knowing and doing) will be like a city

on a hill whose light shines forth to illuminate a dark world.

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Lamed Study Page 6

Paleo-Hebrew Look at Lamed:

The Early Hebrew pictograph is , a shepherd's staff. The shepherd staff was used to direct sheep by pushing

or pulling them. It was also used as a weapon against predators to defend and protect the sheep.

The meaning of this letter is toward as moving something in a different direction. This letter also means

authority, as it is a sign of the shepherd, the leader of the flock. It also means yoke, a staff on the shoulders as

well as tie or bind from the yoke that is bound to the animal.

Psa_25:5 LeadH1869 me in thy truth,H571 and teachH3925 me: forH3588 thouH859

art the GodH430 of my salvation;H3468 on thee do I waitH6960 allH3605 the

day.H3117

(TEACH = to goad, that is, (by implication) to teach (the rod being an Oriental incentive): - [un-] accustomed, X

diligently, expert, instruct, learn, skilful, teach (-er, -ing).

Psalm 119:89-96 Shows the Lamed: In Psalm 119:89-96, we find the Lamed section. In this part of Psalm 119, we see the Torah being

exonerated as the permanent principles of Yahweh’s Kingdom. We also see man’s choice to comply with

Heaven’s Rules – living as a bright and shining Light upon the earth.

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Lamed Study Page 7

Keyword Study: Psalm 119:89-90 (words starting with Lamed are highlighted)

“LAMED. Forever, O LORD, Thy Word is settled in Heaven. Thy Faithfulness is unto all generations: Thou

hast established the earth, and it abideth.”

Keyword Strong’s # Hebrew Word Meaning

Forever H5769 ‛olam concealed vanishing point; generally time out of mind (past or future), eternity; always: ancient (time), (of) old (time), perpetual,(beginning of the) world (without end).

Settled H5324 natsab to station, appointed, deputy, erect, establish, pillar,

present, rear up, set (over, up), settle, sharpen, stablish, (make to) stand (-ing, still, up, upright)

Thy

Faithfulness H530 'emunah

firmness; security; moral fidelity: - faith (-ful, -ly, -ness, [man]), set office, stability, steady, truly, truth, verily

All Generations H1755 dor

(Note: in the Hebrew text, this word “dor” is written twice in a row, underscoring the Eternal continuance of this to every Generation) a revolution of time, that is, an age or generation; also a dwelling: - age, evermore, generation, [n-]ever, posterity.

Abideth H5975 ‛amad to stand, abide, appoint, arise, continue, dwell, be

employed, endure, establish, leave, make, ordain, be [over], place, (be) present (self), remain, stand (fast, firm, still, up)

Rewrite these 2 verses using the fuller meaning you found in your Keyword study above:

Since before the beginning of Time on Earth through to eternity without end, Your Word is

established and regarded as a pillar throughout Heaven and the unfallen universes. Your Truth

is steady, unchanging, and firm, being passed down just the same as it has always been to every

Generation forevermore. With Your Word everyone on the Earth was formed. And it is because

of Your appointment that anyone may endure.

Cross References:

Psa_89:2; Mat_5:18, Mat_24:34-35; 1Pe_1:25; 2Pe_3:13; Deu_7:9; Mic_7:20; Psa_89:1-2, Psa_100:5 ;

Psa_89:11, Psa_93:1, Psa_104:5; Job_38:4-7; 2Pe_3:5-7

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Lamed Study Page 8

Keyword Study: Psalm 119:91-92 (words starting with Lamed are highlighted)

“They continue this day according to Thine ordinances: for all are Thy servants. Unless Thy Law had been

my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction.”

Keyword Strong’s # Hebrew Word Meaning

They Continue H5975 ‛amad to stand, abide, appoint, arise, continue, dwell, be

employed, endure, establish, leave, make, ordain, be [over], place, (be) present (self), remain, stand (fast, firm, still, up)

This Day H3117 yom to be hot; a day (as the warm hours), whether literally or

figuratively (a space of time), age, always, daily, (for) ever (-lasting, -more), season

Unless H3884 lule' if not: - except, had not, if (. . . not), unless, were it not that

Thy Law H8451 torah a precept or statute, especially the Decalogue or

Pentateuch: - law

My Delights H8191 sha‛shua‛ enjoyment: - delight, pleasure

Rewrite these 2 verses using the fuller meaning you found in your Keyword study above:

Only that which is according to Your Word may endure. All on Earth, every created thing, is

Your servant (whether they honor You as Creator or not). But only those who keep Your Torah

and delight in it will remain forever. Thus, had it not been for the fact that I enjoy Your Torah

Truth, and delight in keeping it, I too would have been destroyed in the troubles which come

from Lawlessness.

Cross References:

Psa_148:5-6; Gen_8:22; Isa_48:13; Jer_33:25; Rom_15:4; Psa_27:13, Psa_94:18-19; Pro_6:22-23

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Lamed Study Page 9

Keyword Study: Psalm 119:93-94

“I will never forget Thy Precepts: for with them Thou hast quickened me. I am Thine, save me; for I have

sought Thy Precepts.”

Keyword Strong’s # Hebrew Word Meaning

Forget H7911 shakach to mislay, that is, to be oblivious of, from want of memory

or attention: (cause to) forget

Quickened H2421 chayah to live literally or figuratively; to revive: - keep (make) alive, give (promise) life, nourish up, preserve (alive), quicken, recover, repair, restore (to life), be whole

Save me H3467 yasha‛ to be open, wide or free, to be safe; to free or succor:

avenging, defend, deliver (-er), help, preserve, rescue, be safe, bring (having) salvation, save (-iour), get victory

Have Sought H1875 darash to tread or frequent; to follow (for pursuit or search); to seek or ask; specifically to worship, care for, diligently,

inquire…

Rewrite these 2 verses using the fuller meaning you found in your Keyword study above:

As a citizen of Your Eternal Kingdom, I will always abide by Your Kingdom Precepts. I will

never mislay, neglect, or forget Your Appointed Commandments and Statutes. For instead of

blindly thinking that Your Torah is a burden (nailed to the Cross), You have enlightened me

and healed me. You have made me spiritually Alive. Now I understand that it is in compliance

with Your Commandments and Statutes that I am nourished to walk in the Way of Life. They

are LIFE! Because I now seek Your Precepts, as do all good citizens of Your Kingdom, I

acknowledge that I belong to YOU. I not only frequent and follow Your Truth, I worship You

in seeking and diligently inquiring to learn more of the Torah Ways to bring You joy. And

because I now live in compliance with Your Kingdom Rules (by Your Grace) I am safe to save

(for I will not bring the seeds of rebellion into Your unfallen universes – Nahum 1:9). Please

save me now and forever!

Cross References: Joh_6:63; 1Pe_1:23; Psa_86:2; Jos_10:4-6; Isa_41:8-10, Isa_44:2, Isa_44:5,

Isa_64:8-10; Zep_3:17; Act_27:23-24

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Lamed Study Page 10

Keyword Study: Psalm 119:95-96 (words starting with Lamed are highlighted)

“The wicked have waited for me to destroy me: but I will consider Thy Testimonies. I have seen an end of all

perfection: but Thy Commandment is exceeding broad.

Keyword Strong’s # Hebrew Word Meaning

Wicked H7563 rasha‛ wrong; concretely an (actively) bad person: - + condemned, guilty, ungodly, wicked (man), that did wrong

Have Waited H6960 qavah to bind together (perhaps by twisting), that is, collect; (figuratively) to expect: - gather (together), look, patiently, tarry, wait (for, on, upon)

Consider H995 bene

to separate mentally (or distinguish), understand: attend, consider, diligently, eloquent, instruct, have intelligence,

know, think, view, (deal) wisely, wise man. (Note: “bene” contains the word “ben” – meaning “son”.

Thus, those who “consider” Yah’s Testimonies are also, by implication, His sons!)

End H7093 qets an extremity; after: - + after, (utmost) border, end, finite

Perfection H8502 tikla h completeness: - perfection (from the root “kalah” meaning: “to end, to perish, to be finished, make a clean riddance of”)

Broad H7342 rachab roomy, in any (or every) direction, literally or figuratively: -

broad, large, at liberty, proud, wide

Rewrite these 2 verses using the fuller meaning you found in your Keyword study above:

So Life-filled are the Principles of Your Torah that I know I find protection and shelter in

keeping them. Thus, while the wicked have formed a co-operative pact in seeking my

destruction, I will thwart their evil designs by my Testimony of meditating upon and living by

Your Principles (in Your Power). I have seen that all human wisdom or knowledge, however

extensive, noble, and excellent, has it bounds, and limits, and end; but Your Law, a transcript of

Your own Mind, is infinite, and extends to eternity. All earthly perfection, or all transient

completeness which man can muster (the root of “perfection” is H3615, showing it is carnal and

will perish) has its limits and comes to an end. But Your Commandments have no end,

swallowing up all territory in every direction. In them, heed them, I find great liberty!

Cross References:

Psa_10:8-10, Psa_27:2, Psa_37:32, Psa_38:12; 1Sa_23:20-23; 2Sa_17:1-4; Mat_26:3-5; Act_12:11, Act_23:21, Act_25:3; Psa_19:7-8; Mat_5:28, Mat_22:37-40; Mar_12:29-34; Rom_7:7-12, Rom_7:14; Heb_4:12-13

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Lamed Study Page 11

Psalm 119:89-95 Reveals the Lamed

Message: (write your own personal “Bible Commentary” Message about these verses, now that you’ve studied them. Include Cross-reference Scriptures.)

Since before the beginning of Time on Earth through to eternity without end, Your Word is

established and regarded as a pillar throughout Heaven and the unfallen universes. Your Truth

is steady, unchanging, and firm, being passed down just the same as it has always been to every

Generation forevermore. With Your Word everyone on the Earth was formed. And it is because

of Your appointment that anyone may endure.

Only that which is according to Your Word may endure. All on Earth, every created thing, is

Your servant (whether they honor You as Creator or not). But only those who keep Your Torah

and delight in it will remain forever. Thus, had it not been for the fact that I enjoy Your Torah

Truth, and delight in keeping it, I too would have been destroyed in the troubles which come

from Lawlessness.

As a citizen of Your Eternal Kingdom, I will always abide by Your Kingdom Precepts. I will

never mislay, neglect, or forget Your Appointed Commandments and Statutes. For instead of

blindly thinking that Your Torah is a burden (nailed to the Cross), You have enlightened me

and healed me. You have made me spiritually Alive. Now I understand that it is in compliance

with Your Commandments and Statutes that I am nourished to walk in the Way of Life. They

are LIFE! Because I now seek Your Precepts, as do all good citizens of Your Kingdom, I

acknowledge that I belong to YOU. I not only frequent and follow Your Truth, I worship You

in seeking and diligently inquiring to learn more of the Torah Ways to bring You joy. And

because I now live in compliance with Your Kingdom Rules (by Your Grace) I am safe to save

(for I will not bring the seeds of rebellion into Your unfallen universes – Nahum 1:9). Please

save me now and forever!

So Life-filled are the Principles of Your Torah that I know I find protection and shelter in

keeping them. Thus, while the wicked have formed a co-operative pact in seeking my

destruction, I will thwart their evil designs by my Testimony of meditating upon and living by

Your Principles (in Your Power). I have seen that all human wisdom or knowledge, however

extensive, noble, and excellent, has it bounds, and limits, and end; but Your Law, a transcript of

Your own Mind, is infinite, and extends to eternity. All earthly perfection, or all transient

completeness which man can muster (the root of “perfection” is H3615, showing it is carnal and

will perish) has its limits and comes to an end. But Your Commandments have no end,

swallowing up all territory in every direction. In them, heed them, I find great liberty!

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Lamed Study Page 12

Personal Application: 1. What was the most personally meaningful message of the Lamed that you found in this study?

When I am enlightened by Yahweh, I will see plainly that instead of being a curse or burden, His Torah

is LIFE. This is why David asked Yahweh to GOAD him into the path of Torah Obedience. This is the

Old Path that all, who have citizenship in the Kingdom of Yahweh, have walked since ancient times.

Rebellion against Torah is Rebellion against Yahweh and rejection of His Kingdom. This is the way of

Rest and Blessing:

Jeremiah 6:16 Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where [is]

the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk

[therein].

2. What insights about Yahweh did you gain?

We don’t often think of

goading an ox or driving

sheep as pleasant.

Certainly it doesn’t

appear a blessing. Yet,

when Yahweh is invited

to goad us into the Way

of Life, He does so by

teaching us His Torah –

sometimes even hedging

us about with painful

consequences – that we will be driven from our

foolishness, into the path of blessing. This is a powerful

picture of Yahweh as the ultimate loving Parent and

Heavenly Shepherd.